A little trailer rebuild and modification

[Huntindave McCann]

I decided to make a few changes to the trailer under my BBIII. First up was my desire to raise the front of the boat as it sits while on the trailer. Presently, the hull would not entirely drain dry, even with the jack cranked up to full extension. I wanted the boat bilge to fully drain while the trailer was still hooked to the tow vehicle. New, taller, front brackets would be needed to accomplish this so I also made new bunk boards as well.

The old bunks are to the outside. The new bunks are adjusted for height, but need to be moved over for width to where the old bunks presently sit.

View attachment 20190917_093845.jpg

Raising the front of the hull also meant the winch and the winch stand needed to be adjusted and repositioned. Nothing is ever just a one step simple process. [laugh]


Then there is the issue of low water conditions and the unintentional backing off the end of the concrete at the ramp. I've done this twice now and the results to the spring hangers and running gear were not pretty. Therefore my solution was to weld up some 30-60-90 degree wedges/ramps and install then directly in front of the spring hangers. Now if the wheels drop off the end of the concrete, it should be a simple matter to drive forward with out doing any damage to the trailer.

View attachment 20190917_111916.jpg


BTW; That boat in the background is for sale. Call me, I'd like to free up that space.

 

[tod osier]

Like those wedges. Lot of guys have been screwed by the square brackets hanging on the end of a ramp.

 

[greg setter]

The wedges are a great idea. Dealing with tidal waters, sometimes you have no choice but to go off of the ramp to get your boat on the trailer if you come in at the bottom of the cycle.

 

[Josh Schwenger]

Nice idea I like it.

 

[Eric Patterson]

I see a market for bolt-on wedges like that Dave...

 

[Huntindave McCann]

I see a market for bolt-on wedges like that Dave...

Eric,
Go for it, I'm retired. [cool] They are quite simple to make but yes, many folks would prefer to just purchase, if something like this was on the market.

 

[tod osier]

I see a market for bolt-on wedges like that Dave...

Eric,
Go for it, I'm retired. [cool] They are quite simple to make but yes, many folks would prefer to just purchase, if something like this was on the market.

Have the ones you send me to test out hot dipped with stainless hardware, the saltwater is hell on my stuff.

 

[Huntindave McCann]

I see a market for bolt-on wedges like that Dave...

Eric,
Go for it, I'm retired. [cool] They are quite simple to make but yes, many folks would prefer to just purchase, if something like this was on the market.

Have the ones you send me to test out hot dipped with stainless hardware, the saltwater is hell on my stuff.

Ha! For you it will be a mismatch of scrap yard material, held together with with baling wire and ONLY if you prepay in full.

 

[tod osier]

Ha! For you it will be a mismatch of scrap yard material, held together with with baling wire and ONLY if you prepay in full.

That is how you treat a member of your PROSTAFF?!?! Don't forget to send me a sticker for the rear window of my truck.

 

[Huntindave McCann]

That is how you treat a member of your PROSTAFF?!?! Don't forget to send me a sticker for the rear window of my truck.

Dear Mr. Osier,


It has come to our attention that you are making claims as to being a pro-staffer on our team. Upon review, we find that we have no record of your application for pro-staff status, ever being received.


We certainly understand your desire for one of these coveted spots on our team and would welcome the opportunity to send you an application. To receive said application, please send us your full name, mailing address and money order or cashiers check to cover the $30,000.00 non-refundable processing fee.


Once we receive you application for pro-staff status ( along with the required non-refundable processing fee), we will review it for possible approval. Please remember that our standards are high ( we have a reputation to maintain) and not all applications are approved.


If your application is approved, you will be notified within six weeks. Unfortunately, at this low cost, we are unable to provide window stickers. I'm sure you can understand.


Thanks for wanting to be part of our team.


Sincerely,
Dave McCann
aka; Head Honcho of McCann Enterprises
[strike][/strike]

 

[tod osier]

That is how you treat a member of your PROSTAFF?!?! Don't forget to send me a sticker for the rear window of my truck.

Dear Mr. Osier,


It has come to our attention that you are making claims as to being a pro-staffer on our team. Upon review, we find that we have no record of your application for pro-staff status, ever being received.


We certainly understand your desire for one of these coveted spots on our team and would welcome the opportunity to send you an application. To receive said application, please send us your full name, mailing address and money order or cashiers check to cover the $30,000.00 non-refundable processing fee.


Once we receive you application for pro-staff status ( along with the required non-refundable processing fee), we will review it for possible approval. Please remember that our standards are high ( we have a reputation to maintain) and not all applications are approved.


If your application is approved, you will be notified within six weeks. Unfortunately, at this low cost, we are unable to provide window stickers. I'm sure you can understand.


Thanks for wanting to be part of our team.


Sincerely,
Dave McCann
aka; Head Honcho of McCann Enterprises
[strike][/strike]

Ok, ok... galvanized hardware is fine if the stainless is too much to ask for.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Dave~


Great ideas all around - and having just made a few trailer "adjustments" - YES, everything is connected and always needs re-jiggering.


Your trailer wedges reminded me of a story from my early days with DEC (late 70s). We had been surveying some birds on Moriches Bay in a 16-foot garvey. My partner was an experienced bayman (and gunner) and so was the default captain of the vessel. We returned to the ramp to find that the tide had dropped significantly.


When my partner backed the trailer down, sure enough, the wheels dropped over the lip of the ramp - creosoted timbers back then. No amount of power applied from the Dodge pickup would help the trailer wheels "pop up" as hoped.


Although skeptical of my non-bayman usefulness (I had only raked for clams one summer on Great South Bay and had recently moved back down from "upstate"...), my partner nevertheless permitted me to try my approach. I looped the painter around the last frame of the trailer then had him join me on the bow so that it lowered the nose of the vessel downward. Then I snubbed up the line. When we moved our combined weight to the stern, Archimedes (an old trailer man from way back....) proved himself correct once again. The tail end of the trailer was now high enough in the water to allow itself to be pulled onto the ramp. Winching the garvey aboard the trailer was hard work - but possible.


BTW: My old partner (and good friend) is now a licensed Captain - and drives a ferry not much smaller than my farm.


BTW: Does your Pro-Staff Application Process solicit friend-of-the-court testimonials re applicants?


All the best,


SJS

 

[Huntindave McCann]

BTW: Does your Pro-Staff Application Process solicit friend-of-the-court testimonials re applicants?

All the best,

SJS

Steve,

Applicants are free to provide references and testimonials as they see fit. Denying or approving any specific applicant, is solely the decision of the Head Honcho and is based more on his mood and whims of the day, rather than anything else. [ninja][ninja] [whistle]